








FIGs 1 EGse2 


IGS. 1 and 2 show the size of two concrete beams which we had tested 
at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Fig. 1 is plain con- 
crete without reinforcement. Fig. 2 is reinforced with steel bars in 
the bottom of the beam. ‘The vertical arrow shows the number of pounds 
of load carried before failure in each. A concrete beam loaded as indicated 
is in tension at the bottom and in compression at the top. Concrete is 
comparatively weak in tension and strong in compression. It will be seen 
that if steel is placed in the bottom of such a beam, it will take up all the 
tension and the beam can fail only by the breaking or slipping of the bar, 
or the crushing of the concrete at the top of the slab. Figuring the size of 
the steel necessary to take up the tension in the bottom and the compression 
of the concrete in the top of such a slab is the fundamental basis of all re- 
inforced concrete design. ‘Throughout all the work shown in this catalogue, 
you will see this principle applied repeatedly. The calculations of these 
strains is comparatively simple, and assuming good workmanship, this 
material can be figured as accurately as steel or any other building material. 
It is to be noted that Portland cement concrete protects steel from corro- 
sion. This is, today, generally conceded. 
For one who wishes to look up the general subject of reinforcement, 
any of the following books will prove satisfactory : 
REINFORCED CONCRETE, by C. F. Marsh. 
TREATISE ON CONCRETE: PLAIN AND REINFORCED, by Messrs. Taylor 
and ‘Thompson. 
REINFORCED CONCRETE, by A. W. Buell and C. S. Hill. 





ABERTHAW CONSTRUCTION CO., BOSTON 


2 REINFORCING METAL 





ESIDES bars, various forms of mesh reinforcement 
are used in concrete construction. In buying such 
mesh, it is to be noted that the strength of all 

reinforcement depends entirely upon the cross section of 
metal; or, what amounts to the same thing, the weight 
of steel reinforcement per square foot of floor or wall 
surface. Accordingly, in buying any reinforcement, it 
would be well to look up the weight per unit of floor or 
wall, and if the mesh weighs less than the bar, you will 
find that you are getting less strength for your money 
with the lighter form of steel. 

For our own convenience and for sale, we carry a 
stock of cold-twisted steel on hand in Boston and can 
make deliveries immedtately. For weights, sizes, etc., 
see opposite page. These bars are twisted cold and any 
imperfection in the bar will show up in process of twist- 
ing. Accordingly, each bar has been thoroughly tested 
and the chance of faulty material reduced to a minimum. 
Incidentally, the strength of the bar is increased by the 
twisting. 


REGARDING THE VALUE OF DEFORMED BARS 


It is only necessary to note that the United States Engi- 
neers use this material in fortification work, and that the 
Boston Transit Commission uses tons of this material after 
the most careful tests and with the broadest experience 
in concrete construction. 





ABERTHAW CONSTRUCTION CO., BOSTON 


COLD-TWISTED STEEL BARS 3 


1/4 in. square. Weight .212 lb. per ft. Area .0625. Price, base plus 70 cents. 


3/8 in. square. Weight .478 lb. per ft. Area 1406. Price, base plus 50 cents. 


1/2 in. square. Weight .850 Ib. per ft. Area .2500. Price, base plus 20 cents. 


5/8 in. square. Weight 1.328 lbs. per ft. Area .3906. Price, base plus 10 cents. 








We can deliver from stock in lengths up to 32 feet. 


Ultimate strength, 75,000 Ibs. per square inch. 
Elastic limit, 59,000 lbs. per square inch. 
Extras on small bars are per hundred pounds. 


Any length or size from mill delivery 





ABERTHAW CONSTRUCTION CO., BOSTON 


4 DAMS 





Licensed to build under patents owned by Ambursen 
flydraulic Construction Co., Boston, 





ROCK BOTTOM 


F the dam is built according to the cut at the top of this page, with the 

sloping edges of the buttresses upstream and with a reinforced concrete 

deck bearing on these, the weight of the water tends to hold the dam in 
place. The lines of force all fall inside the base of the dam. The saving of 
material and accordingly the increased speed of building and the decrease 
in price is obvious. This type can be built at a lower cost and more quickly 
than any other type of masonry dam. Dams of this type are in use in 
various parts of the country, and many are in process of construction. We 
will give you reference to the one nearest your vicinity if you care to look 
into the matter. 

We will give an estimate made up to the best of our ability, showing 
the probable cost of any proposed dam, but owing to the uncertainty of any 
water work, we do not care to take a lump-sum contract for any river work. 
For this class of construction, we ask for a contract on which we are paid 
a named sum for superintendence, use of plant and design, or for any one 
of these: actual cost of the work to be paid for by the owner; or if desired, 
for a contract for day work where we draw a percentage on the actual cost 
of the material and labor entering into construction. These dams are 
covered by patents owned by the Ambursen Hydraulic Construction Co. 





ABERTHAW CONSTRUCTION CO., BOSTON 


DAMS 


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ABERTHAW CONSTRUCTION CO., BOSTON 


DAMS 


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ABERTHAW CONSTRUCTION CO., BOSTON 








Built by Aberthaw afte Co. 
LOOKING THROUGH LENGTH OF DAM 
SHELDON SPRINGS 


Note chance for inspection. Such passage can be used instead of a bridge if desired. 





Built by Aberthaw Construction Co. 
DETAIL OF FRONT OF DAM, SHELDON SPRINGS 





ABERTHAW CONSTRUCTION CO., BOSTON 


DAMS 


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ABERTHAW CONSTRUCTION CO., BOSTON 


DAMS 9 





CONCRETE-STEEL APRON-FRONT DAM 


ROCK FOUNDATION AND HIGH HEAD 





CONCRETE-STEEL OPEN-FRONT DAM 


LEDGE FOUNDATION 





ABERTHAW CONSTRUCTION CO., BOSTON 


10 FOUNDATIONS 





ASS concrete foundations are in too general use to need comment. 
A concrete foundation is stronger than a block stone wall, and it can 
accordingly be built thinner, usually showing an economy in price. Where 
it is desirable to distribute the load under a wall, bars placed in the bottom 
of the footing allow a broad spread (Fig. 1). Fig. 2 shows spread footing 


for a column. 





ENGINE FOUNDATIONS 


Material weighs 144 lbs. per cubic foot to 112 lbs. per cubic foot of brickwork. 





oo 





Built by Aberthaw Construction Co. . Built by Aberthaw Construction Co. 
MACHINE FOUNDATIONS TURBINE FOUNDATION 
L St. Powerhouse, Edison Electric Boston & Northern St. Ry. Power 
Co., South Boston. Station, Quincy. 





ABERTHAW CONSTRUCTION CO., BOSTON 


CONCRETE-STEEL ARCH BRIDGES it 





Built by A berthaw Construction Co. 
WALLEY BRIDGE, WILLIAMSTOWN, MASS. 


For Massachusetts Highway Commission. This style of bridge is low-priced. Per- 
manent. Good looking. No maintenance charges. 


WE DESIGN AS WELL AS BUILD 





POPE MEMORIAL BRIDGE, EAST MACHIAS, ME. 


ABERTHAW CONSTRUCTION CO., BOSTON 


12 FLOORS 


ee floor construction is light, quick of construction and very 
rigid. Concrete on steel frame may be built according to any one of 
the following types. 








HE steel and thickness of the slab can be proportioned to carry any 

given load. The slab can be made the equal in strength of the steel 
frame. Probably no better protection against rust can be given the frame of 
a building than surrounding it with concrete. Floors may be finished with 
granolithic so as to be waterproof. Note that strong acids attack concrete, 
and where the floor is to be exposed to the action of acids, it is well to make 
provision for removing the top surface without destroying the rest of the floor. 





Built by A berthaw Construction Co, 
BROWN & SHARPE MFG. CO. 


Steel frame embedded in concrete. 





ABERTHAW CONSTRUCTION CO., BOSTON 


ALL CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION 13 


. ~ As 
ABERTHAW CONSTRUCTION CO: fy 
33.000 LBS : 
CONCENTRATED” LOAD }os.* 
24. FEET. OREAR SPAN 
PON SON 


NDER heavy loads, or 
where a specially rigid floor 
is necessary, a floor built with 
concrete beams proves thorough- 
ly satisfactory. 
Concrete columns show an 
economy over steel columns for 
moderate loads. They occupy 


but little more space than a steel 





column fireproofed. 
Built by Aberthaw Construction Co. 


BUILDING 42 


Test load of 38,000 lbs., equal to 
1000 Ibs. per foot. There was no meas- 
urable deflection under this load. 





Built by Aberthaw Construction Co. 
BUILDING 42, NAVY YARD, CHARLESTOWN, MASS. 


25-ft. spans. Floor tested as above shown. 


ABERTHAW CONSTRUCTION CO., BOSTON 


14 FLOORS 








Built by Biaisee Construction Co. ; 
FLOORS, AMERICAN OPTICAL CO., SOUTHBRIDGE, MASS. 


Concrete columns, girders, beams. Carries heavy, fast running machinery without 
vibration. 





i ss 


Built by Aberthaw Construction Co. : 
SURFACE OF FLOOR, AMERICAN OPTICAL CO. 


Granolithic finish, calked joints, waterproof, drained to gutters. Lockwood, Greene, 
Architects. 


ABERTHAW CONSTRUCTION CO., BOSTON 


FLOORS bs 





All floors, col- 
umns, stairs are 
of reinforced con- 
Crees 





Built by Aberthaw Construction Co. 


EXTERIOR, SOLVENT PLANT, ARLINGTON 
MILLS, LAWRENCE, MASS. 





Built by Aberthaw Construction Co. 
SOLVENT PLANT, ARLINGTON MILLS 


Note that columns and floors are neatly painted. Dry concrete will take oil paint 
satisfactorily. 


ABERTHAW CONSTRUCTION CO., BOSTON 





16 WALLS 


UILT in forms, concrete wall costs more per cubic foot than brickwork, 
but thinner sections can be used, because the material averages perhaps 
four to five times the strength of brick walls and absorbs but one-third as 
much moisture. 
Built hollow, such a wall is warm and dry, and with proper reinforce- 
ment there is little danger of cracking. 








Built by A berthaw Construclion Oe 
DETAIL OF CONCRETE WALL 





Built by A iévtbiek G TIT Co. 
CONTAGIOUS WARD, HOSPITAL, WALTHAM, MASS. 


_ Picked surface, hollow walls nine inches thick, reinforced with steel. Inside plaster 
directly on concrete without furring. 


ABERTHAW CONSTRUCTION CO., BOSTON 





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WALLS 


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ABERTHAW CONSTRUCTION CO., BOSTON 


8 RETAINING WALLS 





FIG.3 FIG. 4 
REINFORCED RETAINING WALLS 


IG. 3 shows counterforts on the back tied down to broad footings. ‘The 

weight of the bank will hold a reinforced retaining wall in place. Fig. 4 
shows a wall with buttresses acting in compression. This type of wall is 
thoroughly economical, making a good saving in material without loss of 
strength. 





DAM ABUTMENT WALL, COUNTER- RETAINING WALL WITH 
FORTS ON THE BACK BUTTRESSES ON THE FRONT 





ABERTHAW CONSTRUCTION CO., BOSTON 


STAIRS 19 





FIREPROOF. QUIET UNDER TRAFFIC 


Where stairs run between brick walls, they can be set like stone steps. 
We quote on these on board cars, reinforced with steel and well finished. 





Built by A berthaw Construction Co. 


STAIRS, THOS. G. PLANT FACTORY 








Built by Aberthaw Construction Co. 


WAREHOUSE, BOSTON WHARF Co. 





ABERTHAW CONSTRUCTION CO., BOSTON 


20 COAL POCKETS 









































HOUGH absolutely fireproof, the cost of concrete probably shows a 
profitable investment compared with wood construction for coal pockets 
We will make designs and estimates for pockets of any capacity. 

Fig. 5 shows coal pocket elevated on piers to allow emptying from below. 
Fig 6 shows section of storage plant on the ground with tunnels under the 
coal. Where stored loose in heaps, it is sometimes desirable to carry such 
tunnels under the coal for convenience in loading. 








Built by Aberthaw Construction Co. 


COKE POCKET, BROWN & SHARPE MFG. CO. 


ABERTHAW CONSTRUCTION CO., BOSTON 


TANKS 21 





E have built concrete tanks especially for paper-mill work which have 
proved satisfactory. They are finished smooth with troweled mortar 
on the inside; are permanent, and probably show investment over wood. 


Except where exposed to acid, they can be counted on as permanent, water- 
tight, and clean. 





“a 


Built by Aberthaw Construction Co. 


CONCRETE STANDPIPE, ATTLEBORO, MASS. 


Pipe 118 feet high, 50 feet in diameter. Largest reinforced standpipe built. 





ABERTHAW CONSTRUCTION CO., BOSTON 


22 CHIMNEYS 


J ee ee 


HIS type of 
chimney is 


ase 


coming into some 
prominence. It is 
low-priced, of 
rapid construc- 


tion. The United q 
Shoe Machinery 4 
Codie beverly. a 
have had one con- 


crete chimney in 
use for a year, 
and have recently 
built another. 
The Arlington 
Mills, at Law- 
rence, are build- 
ing one. 








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ae . 2 ; x es 


Nie 


CENTRAL LARD CO., JERSEY CITY, 
Built by Morris Bldg. Co. 





ABERTHAW CONSTRUCTION CO., BOSTON 


VAULT LIGHTS 23 


Adopted by New York and Philadelphia Transit Commission 
Jor use in Subways. 


OR use in floors subjected to heavy loads, our reinforced sidewalk vault 

light is of value. This light is built in place, cast on top of wooden forms; 
will fit any inequality in the surrounding work; is watertight, and as little 
slippery as any light. 





SHOWING METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION 


After concrete is set, wooden forms are removed. 





Built by A aE Construction Co. 
ROOF OF RANGE FINDERS OF ABERTHAW LIGHTS 


This type of roof is used by the U. S. Engineers in fortifications of New York, New 
London, Newport, Boston, and Portland. 





ABERTHAW CONSTRUCTION CO., BOSTON 


24 CONCRETE BLOCKS 





OLLOW concrete blocks have come into prominence in the West. 
In new England, their value has not yet been generally recognized. 
A prejudice against concrete blocks has been created by the at- 
tempt of many makers to imitate stone work. The results of this imitation 
have averaged poorly. We question the possibility of making a satisfactory 
concrete wall which will look like good stonework — but it is possible to 
make a good-looking concrete wall of these blocks. Blocks are made either 
of slightly moistened concrete rammed into a machine, or else of wet con- 
crete such as is used in the best masonry. The latter method makes a hard, 
impervious block which is waterproof. Unless special provision is made for 
waterproofing the dry block, it is likely to prove too porous for good wall 
construction. With such waterproofing, properly made dry blocks are excel- 
lent. ‘The wet process block is the more expensive and is the stronger. 
This form of wall construction is the lowest priced concrete wall avail- 
able. In many cases it will show an economy over brick. It recommends 
itself for walls of storehouses, for yard walls, or anywhere low-priced masonry 
is needed. At present, more advertising of block machines is being put out 
than for the sale of the blocks themselves. It is probably oftener economy 


to buy blocks than to purchase a machine. 





ABERTHAW CONSTRUCTION CO., BOSTON 


CONCRETE BUILDINGS 25 


BUILDING made wholly of concrete is probably the lowest priced fire- 
A proof structure made, — certainly no other material is as durable and as 
fireproof. There is no delay waiting for steel frame, and construction is 
rapid. The building increases in strength from year to year. 

When properly designed and intelligently built, no building is better. 





Built by R. L. Fosburgh Co. 


UNITED SHOE MACHINERY CO.’S PLANT, BEVERLY, MASS. 


All buildings wholly of reinforced concrete 





ABERTHAW CONSTRUCTION CO., BOSTON 


26 CONCRETE FRAME 


HE frame of a building may be successfully built of Reinforced Con- 

crete. This style of construction has been used in Europe more generally 
than in this country. Of late it has come into prominence, and its use will 
probably increase. Its rigidity, freedom from rust, and its safety under fire, 
are much in its favor. 





ia aes 


Built by A berthaw Construction Co. 





CONCRETE FRAME, WAREHOUSE FOR PORTLAND 
SAVINGS BANK, PORTLAND, ME. 





ABERTHAW CONSTRUCTION CO., BOSTON 


YARD GATES AND WALLS 27 


Popes pote estctnk tak ptte tp te rake beat a 





Es 


Built by Aberthaw Construction Co. 


GATE, L ST. POWER STATION, EDISON ELECTRIC CO., BOSTON 


Caps and bases of concrete. 


Built by A berthaw Construction Co. 
CONCRETE YARD WALL AND ENTRANCE 





ABERTHAW CONSTRUCTION CO., BOSTON 


DWELLING HOUSES 


28 





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ABERTHAW CONSTRUCTION CO., BOSTON 


STADIUM 


S) 
\o 





Largest Single Concrete Structure in the World, 


STADIUM, HARVARD UNIVERSITY 








Built by Aberthaw Construction Co. 





ABERTHAW CONSTRUCTION CO., BOSTON 


30 STADIUM 





Built by A berthaw Construction Co. : 
DETAILS OF CONSTRUCTION, STADIUM, HARVARD UNIVERSITY 





ABERTHAW CONSTRUCTION CO., BOSTON 


COMPARATIVE FIRE TESTS eI 


PRIL 11, 1902, all combustible material inside the Pacific Coast Borax 

Co.’s Refinery at Bayonne, N. J., was burned. The fire was hot enough 

to fuse cast iron. The main factory was of reinforced concrete with wooden 

roof. ‘The annex was ordinary steel frame. The cuts show the two after 
the fire. A little plastering repaired all damage to the concrete. 





ABERTHAW CONSTRUCTION CO., BOSTON 











